Train with Us
Club training is normally held on Monday and Wednesday evenings and at weekends at a range of venues mainly in and around Ballymena. Many of us run at Ecos Parkrun on Saturday mornings.
You will find running in a group is much more pleasant than running on your own. We have a range of groups to suit all abilities and everyone is welcome. All our groups are headed by experienced leaders. You can choose which group you want to run with and can change groups as often as you like. Note that there may be restrictions on some training in accordance with any Covid guidelines in place.
We would encourage you to progress through the groups if that's what you want to do. Every 4 weeks we schedule a “Step up week” to help support people move up to the next group.
If you have any queries about running with the club please get in touch with us (ballymenarunners@hotmail.com).
Foundation Section
In the Foundation Section we have two groups that run for 30 and 45 minutes. Each group runs together at a pace which is comfortable for everyone. The only thing we ask of you is that you can keep running for the time of the run.
A third group runs at a pace of around 11 minutes per mile and runs for an hour.
Development Section
The Development Section caters for people who can comfortably run at paces between 9 minutes per mile and 10 minutes 30 seconds per mile. We have four groups running all led by experienced leaders:
9.00s group which runs for an hour at a steady pace of 9 minutes per mile
9.30s which runs for an hour at a steady pace of 9 minutes 30 seconds per mile
10.00s which runs for an hour at a steady pace of 10 minutes per mile
10.30s which runs for an hour at a steady pace of 10 minutes 30 seconds per mile
Performance Section
The Performance Section caters for people who can comfortably run at paces of 8 minutes 30 seconds per mile or quicker. We normally have 2 groups led by experienced leaders:
a tempo group which does a one hour tempo session
8.30s which runs for an hour at a steady pace of 8 minutes 30 seconds per mile
Monday Training
Our main training session of the week is held on Monday evening.
Time: 6:20pm for announcements. Training groups leave at 6:30pm.
Location: Ballymena North Business & Recreation Centre
120 Cushendall Road, Ballymena BT43 6HB ·
Format: We form into groups running for 30 minutes, 45 minutes or by pace before heading out to the roads and paths of Ballymena with experienced leaders. There are tempo and steady runs of up to one hour.
The Rota sets out the current training schedule for all groups running on Monday evenings.
Wednesday Training
Wednesday training has a focus on building strength and speed at a variety of locations.
Time: 6:30pm.
Location: Portglenone Forest, Lurig (Cushendall), Ecos Park, Ballymena Academy or Antrim Forum Track. The locations are on the maps below.
Format: Through the summer we typically offer a mix of trail, hill and speed work including interval training and track sessions.
The Rota sets out the Wednesday training schedule and locations.
Portglenone Forest BT44 8BN
Ecos Park BT43 7QA
Antrim Track BT41 4DQ. We meet on the track, not in the leisure centre.
Lurig meeting point in Cushendall BT44 0NB. Travelling from Ballymena, turn left at the T junction, over the bridge and immediately left. Car park with loos.
Ballymena Academy BT42 1AJ
Weekends
If you want company for a weekend run there's lots on offer:
local Ecos parkrun
hill adventures in the Glens of Antrim
marathon training groups